I’ll Lend You a Child

This poem holds a special place in my heart, and I wanted to share it with Heather and Mike (they are friends of Headless Mom) as they lost their precious daughter, Maddie last night. 

I’ll Lend You a Child

by Edgar Guest

 

I’ll lend you for a little time a child of mine, 

For you to love – while he lives

And mourn for when he dies.

It may be seven or eight years

Eighteen or twenty- three,

But will you, till I call him back,

Take care or him for Me?

He’ll bring his smiles to gladden you,

And shall his stay be brief

You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,

Since all from earth return,

But there are lessons taught down there

I want this boy to learn.

I’ve looked this world over

In search for teachers true,

And from the throngs that crowd

Life’s loves, I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love,

Nor think  the labor vain,

Nor hate Me when I call

To take him back again?

I fancied that I heard you say,

‘Dear Lord, Thy will be done,

For all the joy this child shall bring,

The risk of grief we’ll run.

We’ll shelter him with tenderness,

We’ll love him while we may,

And for the happiness we’ve known

Forever grateful stay.

But should the angels call for him

Much sooner than we’ve planned,

We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes

And try to understand.’

 

Headless Mom has posted a special post  for all of them with tons of love sent from the blog-o-sphere.  My love and prayers go out to their family as they try to stand strong in such a difficult time of loss and hurt.